Hope in a Hopeless World

Mental Health Outreach

Hope in the Darkness

Hope, You are not alone /

Complete darkness. My eyes search for light, any light to guide my path. I know the general direction back, so I turn to the left and step cautiously in the direction of the cabin. Rounding the corner I see the speckle of light. As I get closer the light becomes brighter, and the outline of the cabin is visible. Illuminated under the porch light, I see what I am searching for; Hope. In this case it is a metal sign with those 4 letters spelt out indicating that I am at the right cabin. As I walk into the Hope Cabin, I am welcomed by a sense of safety. The warmth of the fire greets me as I take my spot on the couch across from my friend in the rocking chair. We continue our conversation on the meaning of hope and how it relates to the HHW mission. We reflect on the support we offer and how many times the people we meet are often in a dark or low place. Isolation and loneliness are both a symptom and cause of mental illness. Instead of feeling discouraged during these encounters, we feel hopeful because we know there is a path to healing through connection. We enter the dark and hopeless places to help find and guide others to hope. As we enter a new year, we are purposefully planning opportunities for connection, including our support groups and hope connection events. We are here and we are willing to walk in the darkness. Together we can be the HOPE in a hopeless world.